Rafaele Andrade [Curitiba – Brazil, 1994] is a composer, improviser and cellist. She designed her own string-based instrument, Knurl, and has performed across Latin America and Europe. Her artistic practice has focused on finding a sense of momentum-craftsmanship for music composition through the creation of her own instrument and artistic practice based on a cello, while working on projects and artwork that reveal social transformation and environmental awareness. She is a member of Netherlands Coding Live (NLCL) and the iii workspace.

Tropicos by Rafaele Andrade is a multicultural music project exploring virtual connections within countries, ideologies, and relationships. Inspired by Juan Pablo Garcia Sossa’s “Tropical design,” it delves into how the world is also shaped by virtual connections, such as the world tropics. 

Andrade showcases this impact through Knurl, her self-made instrument, playing it in extended song formats. Sung in four languages, the songs convey personal stories of digital cultures, touching on themes like work, transportation, aesthetics, social media, and cultural appropriation. Andrade’s journey from Brazil to Europe informs the project, offering insights into cultural diversity, intimacy, musical innovation, and postcolonialism.

Knurl Quartet, an improvisation music ensemble, explores the potential of Knurl, a 3D-printed instrument developed to evolve the control of live sound composition, allowed by the crossover of various disciplines including 3D printing, creative programming, acoustics, & sound performance. Knurl quartet is composed of Katerina Papakostaki, Lucija Gregov, Jan Willem Troost and Rafaele Andrade.